Deuteronomy 1:9-18

How does sharing leadership serve impartial justice?

Berean Standard Bible

9 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. 10 The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. 11 May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. 12 But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself? 13 Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.” 14 And you answered me and said, “What you propose to do is good.” 15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. 16 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. 17 Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” 18 And at that time I commanded you all the things you were to do.

What is the context?

Moses recalls that the people’s growth made their disputes too much for him to carry alone. The tribes agreed to choose wise, understanding, respected men, whom he appointed to different levels of responsibility.

The judges were to hear both Israelites and foreign residents fairly, without favoring the powerful or fearing anyone. Difficult cases could come to Moses. Sharing the work was therefore joined to a clear standard: judgment belongs to God, so status must not decide the outcome.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley emphasizes that foreigners are entitled to fair judgment alongside Israelites. The USCCB notes relate the appointment to the leadership accounts in Exodus and Numbers. The passage concerns public judgment, not a promise that every personal preference becomes right when held by a leader.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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